The sound wave attack at such close range left Tu Xingsun with no chance of survival. Blood gushed from his orifices, his pupils cracked like the parched earth. He was clearly beyond saving!
"Sect Master! You've taken two lives in the blink of an eye!" Liu Fuqu tore off her veil, her cold eyes flashing like lightning. She questioned him in a sharp tone, "What's the difference between your actions and those of wicked cults!"
Unexpectedly, the masked man snorted and casually tossed Tu Xingsun from the altar, which was seven or eight meters high. He landed with a sickening thud, his body contorting. Blood mist splattered everywhere. The faces of the cultivators, illuminated by the flickering firelight, shifted between shadows and light, leaving them uncertain and terrified. They could only kneel together, trembling.
"Difference? Very well, I shall tell you. The difference is that justice is always defined by us. Yasheng, you know the crime of trespassing into Chi Xiao Sect better than anyone. Are you suggesting that merely because these people were once your friends, sect rules should be broken? Not only should these villains be treated with utmost care and served, but I should also obediently let them leave the mountain? Is that how you define a righteous sect!"
Liu Fuqu waved her sleeves, her voice growing even colder. "You are the Sect Master, the face of Chi Xiao Sect. The power of life and death rests in your hands, and the sect's rules and precepts are mere scribbles to you. Now I finally understand why Ji Changqing could show such ruthlessness even to his fellow disciples. It seems that in the years I was away, Chi Xiao Sect is no longer the Chi Xiao Sect it once was!"
"Ridiculous! The outside world changes daily. If we ancient sects remain stagnant, how will we compete with them? Even setting aside competition, how will we protect the sect! Today, some villains managed to infiltrate the sect and even attempted to abduct you, the Yasheng. It's not inconceivable that tomorrow they will become even more audacious. In such a case, what becomes of the sect's authority and the disciples' safety?"
As he spoke, he extended his hands, as if embracing all things. Through the two eyeholes of his mask, he looked down at the disciples kneeling on the ground, his voice resonating like a decree from heaven. "You are all the future of Chi Xiao Sect. Anyone who seeks to harm you, or damage the reputation of Chi Xiao Sect, shall be executed!"
"Shall be executed!"
The disciples, as if inspired by the Sect Master, roared with immense power, their voices shaking the heavens!
Unexpectedly, Liu Yu erupted into even more frenzied laughter. "Hahahaha, a group of people living in fear, coupled with a paranoid Sect Master, and the intention to imprison a young girl in such a lightless cage to gain divine favor! You think this will earn you the protection of the gods and bring your prayers to heaven? A pathetic sect."
"Laugh all you want. I know you have accomplices. Rest assured, I'll leave the four of you with half your lives. If your accomplices don't show up, I will have a finger chopped off each of you daily until they appear." The masked man waved his sleeve, and several figures immediately stepped forward, apprehending the two women and Liu Yu Xiao Chong.
At this moment, the masked man turned to Liu Fuqu and sternly declared, "You are a noble Yasheng, and I, the Sect Master, have already shown you leniency once. This time, I will once again extend a hand of mercy. As long as you sincerely repent, you will still be the Saintess of Chi Xiao Sect!"
Liu Fuqu looked at the tragically deceased Qi Da Xian and Tu Xingsun. Although she hadn't known Ren Yuan Hao for long, she was well aware of his methods. He would undoubtedly come to rescue her sooner or later. Therefore, sacrificing herself to protect these people seemed utterly pointless. Since it was meaningless, what reason did she have to remain in such a sect?
Her heart was filled with a myriad of emotions. The magnificent fireworks blooming across the night sky seemed to finally grant her immense courage. Her voice was like breaking ice and cutting through snow, her light veil billowing in the wind, ethereal and transcendent.
"I refuse."
Liu Fuqu's three words were soft, yet every cultivator kneeling on the ground heard them clearly, their expressions subtly changing.
In their hearts, if the position of Sect Master symbolized power and authority, then the position of Saintess symbolized purity and aloofness, and also an important prayer capable of reaching heaven.
Therefore, the disciples, unaware of the underlying suffering, could not comprehend Liu Fuqu's actions.
"Very well. According to sect rules, you are to be executed!"
The masked man threatened.
"Do you think I would still care about how you execute me at this point?" Liu Fuqu replied with complete composure.
"Good. You are not afraid of death. Guards, take this traitor away! In seven days, she will be executed!"
...
At this time, Yun Jin City was filled with joyous revelry. Crowds continuously moved to higher vantage points to enjoy the city-wide fireworks.
As for the three great families, their fireworks were naturally more spectacular than those of other families, with the most dazzling and brilliant ones launched from the aerial structures standing on giant stone pillars.
Seven-colored light beams shot into the sky, illuminating the heavens as if it were broad daylight. The fireworks soared to their apex, bursting open. They resembled mysterious nebulae, vast star rivers, charging warhorses, phoenixes in flight, and various cryptic symbols, creating a bizarre and wondrous spectacle.
Logically, with such a grand scene, Dongfang Xu, residing at the summit of the viewing platform, should have been beaming with smiles. However, her face was devoid of any expression, especially when facing the man designated as number one on the hunting list.
"Xu, tonight's fireworks are destined to be ignited for you and me. Marry me?"
The man knelt on one knee, as if programmed, holding 999 roses in one hand and a sapphire blue jewelry box in the other, which undoubtedly contained a priceless diamond ring. Yet, even this could not elicit a smile from Dongfang Xu.
"You didn't have to do this. Our marriage was already arranged." Dongfang Xu accepted the flowers with mechanical movements, slipped the South African black diamond from the box onto her finger, her expression indifferent, as if devoid of feeling.
"Formalities are still necessary. Xu, with our combined strengths, although there's no emotional foundation, I believe you will slowly come to like me." The man lowered his head to kiss Dongfang Xu's hand, also without any emotional fluctuation.
"Don't you find this arranged life utterly dull? Or has Chi Xiao Sect been in seclusion on its mountain for too long, growing restless?" Dongfang Xu coldly gazed at her future husband, a hint of undetectable cunning flashing in her eyes.
"Does the Dongfang clan have no plans of their own? Xu, since we are the link for this alliance and the continuation of our relationship, let's not expose certain issues, lest we both feel awkward."
The man returned her equally cold gaze.
"I heard that your Chi Xiao Sect is not peaceful tonight. Your old flame is likely facing execution. It's remarkable that you can still accompany me to watch fireworks here. Heh, how ironic."